Everything You Need to LEARN HOW TO CREATE PROFESSIONAL NARRATIVE AND DOCUMENTARY FILMS

HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?

Well, we’ve created an interactive online film school that will lead you every step of the way. As trained and practicing filmmakers ourselves, many on the Lights Film School team have benefited from years of formal education at accredited institutions, including New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts:

A preview of our award-winning global team.

We wanted to share our filmmaking training and experiences with everyone who wants to learn, so we built an online film school for everyone, everywhere!

YOUR STUDIES, CENTRALIZED

Together, we’ve spent the better part of a decade creating a bespoke online educational experience that’s more affordable and flexible than traditional film school; more guided and hands-on than free filmmaking resources around the internet.

Think of Lights Film School as a one-stop-shop for your filmmaking education. Through our course and community platforms, students master filmmaking fundamentals and connect with teacher and peers around the world.

Our online film school is the training you need to develop your technical skills, realize your unique creative potential, and pursue career opportunities knowledgeably and confidently. To join us is to jumpstart your journey toward becoming a professional filmmaker, whether you’re interested in narrative, documentary, or music videos.

IT’S A FILMMAKING EDUCATION THAT:

✅ Takes the guesswork and stress out of the learning process. Our curriculum’s logical progression focuses your studies, so that you can spend time on what’s important.

🗓 Adapts to your schedule. You’ll enjoy a flexible, outcomes-based approach that empowers you to work at your own pace.

🌎 Connects you to other filmmakers. You’ll engage with a welcoming online community of teachers and peers from around the world.

👨‍🏫 Provides genuine, personalized mentorship. You’ll benefit from our 10+ years of professional and teaching experience, with attentive support and individualized feedback.

💸 Doesn’t break the bank. Our tight-knit and passionate team strives to make a fantastic, more formal filmmaking education accessible to everyone, everywhere!

FREE SAMPLE VIDEO TUTORIAL 🎞

Naturally, weteach our students how to achieve professional studio production standards while retaining the creative freedom and artistic bravery that comes with being an indie filmmaker. “Indie” is not an excuse for laziness or poor quality content, and our filmmaking course fights against both, helping to hold the world of independent cinema to a higher standard.

Watch this 7-minute sample tutorial to get a sense of what we mean, and what you can expect, from your studies with Lights Film School.

FREE SAMPLE LESSON 🎓

Custom video tutorials are not the only thing our filmmaking training includes. You’ll benefit froma truly multimedia curriculum that weaves together engaging lecture notes, curated video essays, film clips, photos, and much more. It’s a tremendous amount of content that’s thoughtfully presented in many different ways.

Want a taste of what it’s like? Subscribe to our newsletter and we’ll send you our epic screenwriting eBook as a sort of example lesson! Inside, you’ll find 9 hours of valuable filmmaking insights and case studies presented across 28 pages – a very, very small fraction of the full filmmaking course.

SO WHAT’S INCLUDED, EXACTLY?

You don’t need any prior knowledge. You don’t need any fancy filmmaking equipment, and you certainly don’t need to live in Hollywood! All you need is an internet connection, a camera with video capabilities, a computer with video editing software, and a passion to learn. We’ll provide the rest through our course and community platforms, including a comprehensive curriculum that grantsaccess to the following 5 modules and introduction:

INTRODUCTION

Discover the Lights Film School educational experience and the ins and outs of your new online learning environment. We lay out our expectations and explain how everything works to ensure you start off on the right foot. As a part of your orientation, we also frame subsequent modules with a discussion of filmmaking basics, beginning with an examination of two short films.

SCREENWRITING

A screenplay is the foundation of most successful films. We demystify story structure and explain how it’s relevant to both narrative and documentary projects. Expect to learn about western dramatic structure, “the hero’s journey” and character archetypes, how to construct and pace tension, how to balance action and dialogue, and much more.

DIRECTING

We equip filmmakers to direct their projects with proficiency, confidence, and tact. The director is the captain of the ship; it’s your vision that steers the film’s cinematography, performances, and more. The director is the leader, and you must know how to think creatively and communicate clearly. We’ll teach you how to navigate these waters.

CINEMATOGRAPHY

Like screenwriting, cinematography requires an acute awareness of language. In our cinematography module, you’ll study the works of the masters while developing a visual vocabulary all your own. Explore three of the main components of cinematography – lighting, movement, and composition – and dive deep into shot types, shot continuity, color theory, and more.

EDITING

Learn the art and science of post-production. You’ll cover the paper edit, NLE software, file ingest, rough cuts, titling, color correction, and a vast range of editing theories and techniques, including project file organization and non-destructive editing. This module prepares you to “shoot for the edit” as you begin to brainstorm the production of your own short film.

SOUND DESIGN

The aural experience is 50% of a film, influencing an audience’s perception of its production value, and by extension, its quality. We discuss topics including microphone choice, sample rates, and space acoustics. We also explore editing and mixing questions of audio synchronization and processing effects like compression, equalization, noise reduction, and more.

THERE’S MORE.

Our online film school extends far beyond the curriculum.

As a Lights Film School student, you’ll have access to community, resources, and additional features. For example, your studies also include:

PROGRESS TRACKING

Track your progress as you work through our online filmmaking course at your own pace. You get lifetime access, but most students finish in 3 – 6 months.

Progress tracking lets you see where you are in your learning, making it easy to pick up where you left off next time you login. When you complete the course, we’ll issue you a digital course completion certificate with its own serial number, commemorating your accomplishment – plus a hand-signed physical copy upon request!

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

You can enroll from anywhere in the world! Slack powers our exclusive social network, a place for you to connect with teachers and peers who share your passion for filmmaking, regardless of geographic location. You’ll be able to personalize your account with a profile picture, your location, links to your websites, your film-related interests, and more.

As you progress through the course, you’ll make friends from all over the map. Share updates about your film projects, comment on others’ posts, and send private messages, all while building professional industry relationships. Who knows? A fellow Lights Film School student may one day become a collaborator!

LIVE INTERACTIVE EVENTS

Tune into our signature “Lab Chats”, live two-to-three hour lectures led by our teachers. They’re a great way to meet your fellow classmates and dive deeper into the subjects covered in the course modules. In total, we offer a rotating roster of 20 hours of Lab Chats scheduled at different times every other month, so you’ll be able to attend regardless of what timezone you live in.

Our Online Theatre is a venue for screenings of independent films. We screen a film once a month as a group and break it down together, drawing on everything we’ve learned from the course materials so far.

INDIVIDUALIZED PROJECT FEEDBACK

You’ll complete a series of 5 assignments throughout your studies, culminating in your very own short film. You’ll submit these assignments to our online “Workshop” for our teachers to review your projects and provide critical, in-depth coverage, helping you improve and grow your abilities as a filmmaker.

You’ll also have access to other students’ assignments and reviews. Identify peers with whom you may like to work and learn from both their successes and mistakes. Ultimately, The Workshop is an open forum for constructive feedback and collective learning that showcases a wide variety of perspectives on the craft.

MEDIA LIBRARIES

As a Lights Film School student, you’ll get on-demand access to our complete collection of custom video tutorials. You’ll also unlock our curated screenplay library as well as our stock music and sound effects libraries, featuring assets for use in your student productions.

The cost of these resources alone is more than the cost of your enrollment. We include them as a part of our commitment to improving the production standards of your indie films, and to breaking down the barriers to film education.

HANDS-ON EXERCISES

Our innovative “Mirror Program” provides cinematic audio and video files for you to download and work with as you practice the concepts covered in your lessons. For example, in the Sound Design module, you’ll use the audio files we provide to create and sweeten a soundscape according to our step-by-step instructions. By working virtually with us side-by-side, you’ll grow in confidence and ability.

Some lessons involve other types of “homework” – you might be asked to study a feature film we’ve handpicked, or break down a screenplay from our screenplay library.

ALUMNI SUPPORT

When you complete your studies, you’ll get invited to an exclusive community area for continued camaraderie in your filmmaking journey. Build longterm relationships with members of the Lights Film School community and stay connected with us as we grow.

It’s an opportunity for you to connect with filmmakers who’ve been vetted by Lights Film School’s intensive educational experience, benefit from ongoing inspiration and accountability, and keep track of future alumni perks.

“Lights Film School challenged my knowledge and improved my filmmaking skills one hundred fold. The courses are demanding and challenging. You will find instructors who absolutely encourage you to continue to improve day-by-day. Lights is not easy for students. It is not a chop shop where you pay a fee and expect a certification shortly thereafter. If you are looking for such a place, don’t stop here. This is a program for serious filmmaking students who want to learn. Lights offered the best of all learning forums. The online classes, the availability of instructors outside of core hours, their technical support, all made the curriculum easy to access and fit in with my schedule. Lights takes concepts and shows you how to use these as practical applications by giving you a solid foundation in film theory. Moving forward, I feel confident Lights has provided me with the skillset needed to produce quality content and grow my production company. Best of luck to all the students at Lights Film School. Stay the course. You are in great hands!”

WHO JOINS LIGHTS FILM SCHOOL, ANYWAY?

We’re a good fit for everyone who wants to start making movies now.

You can start your filmmaking journey with whatever gear you have, wherever you live. Our online film school is for:

THE SELF-MOTIVATED

You’re eager to act on your passion for filmmaking, ready and willing to learn and put the work in.

THE RESOURCEFUL

You’re a creative problem solver who appreciates the indie film spirit and strives to do more with less.

THE SUPER-BUSY

You’re juggling many responsibilities and need an education that adapts to your pace and availability.

BOTTOM LINE

If you want to learn how to become a professional filmmaker – if you want to start making movies using the equipment you already have available, wherever you live, with guidance, community, and resources at a fraction of the cost of traditional film school – then our online film school is for you. We’d love to come alongside you in your filmmaking journey!

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

We have answers! Check out these FAQs:

Do I need to know anything about filmmaking in order to enroll and successfully complete my studies?

You don’t need any preexisting knowledge or experience with filmmaking in order to join us here at Lights Film School and successfully complete your studies. We’ll teach you everything from the very beginning, building from the ground up, and we’ll be with you every step of the way!

How does the filmmaking course work? What does the curriculum actually look like?

The filmmaking course will introduce you to the fundamentals of filmmaking in-depth. It provides the knowledge and guidance you need to take an original film from concept all the way through to completion.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a finished short film to add to your portfolio, rooted in the practical, theoretical, and historical underpinnings of filmmaking.

Subjects are divided into 5 modules (not counting the Introduction):

Screenwriting

Directing

Cinematography

Editing

Sound Design

We’ll lead you through everything naturally and logically, taking the guesswork out of the learning process. The modules are divided into units and presented as written and video tutorials and examples. We include film clips, and in some cases, full feature films to illustrate key points!

Additionally, you’ll encounter our hands-on “Mirror Program”, providing audio and video files for you to download and manipulate as you practice the concepts covered in the lessons. Mirror activities are an invitation to go behind the scenes and co-develop a project with your teachers. For example, in the Sound Design module, you’ll use audio files we provide to create and sweeten a soundscape according to our step-by-step instructions. By working virtually with us side-by-side, you’ll grow in understanding and confidence.

Not every lesson culminates in a mirror activity. Some lessons task you with other exercises – for example, you might be asked to study a feature film we’ve handpicked, or break down a screenplay from our Screenplay Library.

The training wheels come off at the end of each module. Our series of 5 assignments will channel your learning into the creation of an original short film, narrative or documentary, of your own imagining. By the end of the course, you’ll have a finished product for your portfolio!

How long will it take to complete my studies? Is the curriculum flexible?

We’ve developed Lights Film School with flexibility in mind. Your studies are specifically designed to let you move on your time at your own unique pace. You shouldn’t have to choose between learning and leading the rest of your life.

Simply put, we believe strongly in the principle of an “outcomes-based education” as opposed to a “time-based education”. We’d rather you structure your studies around your obligations, and then when you have time to dedicate to learning, you give us 100%. Most students complete the course in 3-6 months, but you have access to the course for life, per our Terms of Use.

Is Lights Film School accredited? What sort of certificate will I get?

Every student who completes the filmmaking course is mailed a custom course completion certificate commemorating their accomplishment.

That said, it’s important to understand that we’re a non-accredited private learning environment here at Lights Film School. We chose this route to keep enrollment fees low and remain accessible to independent filmmakers interested in learning the technical, artistic, and theoretical elements of filmmaking without going into debt. Of course, accredited schools charge tens of thousands of dollars for enrollment in their programs. There are obvious advantages to going this route, but there are also some pitfalls.

To be a filmmaker doesn’t require a degree. In fact, many of the best and most respected filmmakers got their training simply by completing their film projects and learning as they went along. We’ve designed Lights Film School for these people: independent filmmakers looking to add production value and narrative integrity to their work without spending obscene amounts of money.

Consequently, our approach makes learning accessible to everyone around the world. You still will be given one-on-one opportunities with teachers. You’ll be asked to read lectures, watch video tutorials and examples, complete assignments, engage in our interactive events, and have your work critiqued, but you’re doing so for your betterment as a filmmaker, not simply for a degree, and at a very small fraction of the price you’d pay for an accredited program.

Is Lights Film School more for fiction or documentary filmmakers?

Both! Our online film school suits fiction and documentary filmmakers equally. As a student, you’ll eventually be asked to choose a “track” that determines the type of project you’ll make for final review, but the course itself is useful for filmmakers of all interests.

Will Lights Film School help me find a job in the film industry?

The film industry is a networking-intensive business that’s as much about who you know as it is about what you know.

What we do here at Lights Film School is address the “what you know” in depth, meaning that we equip you with the foundational knowledge and skills you need to open the door to the industry, as well as provide guidance in the creation of your short film, which will become a portfolio piece for you. Of course, you’ll meet teachers and students in the Lights Film School community, who may one day become collaborators!

Ultimately, though, every individual finds their own unique way into the industry, regardless of background. We’ll prepare you for that journey, so that you can embark on it confidently and professionally.

How does Lights Film School handle time zone differences?

Interactivity is a big part of the learning experience at Lights Film School, so we’ve built all interactive events with flexibility in mind.

For example, our live Lab Chats are held at different times every other month to ensure that students have the opportunity to attend them regardless of individual schedules and time zone differences. The same Lab Chat might be scheduled at 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time (GMT/UTC -04:00) on Wednesday this month and at 7:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (GMT/UTC -04:00) on Saturday another month.

Additionally, Lab Chat transcripts are available for review for 24 hours after the Lab Chat concludes. While attending a Lab Chat live affords an invaluable opportunity to interact with teachers and peers – asking questions, clarifying any points of confusion, learning from each other, building professional relationships – our retention policy helps ensure that students can review the content right away, if they don’t wish to wait a month until the next session.

As a global team ourselves, we’re very sensitive to the needs of our international students, and we work hard to ensure equal access for everyone.

Who are the teachers at Lights Film School?

Our team is a small and tight-knit bunch of professionally trained and practicing filmmakers. Like our students, we’re based all around the world. Feel free to visit the faculty page on our main website for a sense of who’s who!

How interactive is Lights Film School?

Interactive events and community more generally are woven throughout the Lights Film School learning experience. You’re welcome to engage as much or as little as you want.

For starters, you’ll have access to The Cantina Area, a social network where you can get to know your teachers and peers and benefit from mutual inspiration, aspiration, and accountability.

You’re also invited to tune into some 20+ hours of “Lab Chats”, live lectures led by our teachers in a chat-based virtual classroom. Topics include:

The Screenplay and Film Production

Character Development

Dialogue and Storytelling

Visual Storytelling

Defining the Director

The Science and Art of Sound in Cinema

Defining the Documentary

Building Cinematic Suspense

Then once a month, you can drop by the exclusive Online Theatre, a virtual venue for screening short films. You’ll draw on everything you’re learning to break down a curated selection of shorts, discovering what works and what doesn’t in each. It’s a behind-the-scenes window into professional productions designed to build your powers of film analysis that invites fun, free-flowing discussion.

The Workshop is another public space within Lights Film School. Everyone can see and comment on everyone else’s assignments, students and teachers alike. In fact, we encourage you to check out other students’ assignments and read their teacher reviews. The Workshop really acts as a collective learning experience and is a great way to learn from other filmmakers’ mistakes – and successes!

Finally, when you complete your studies, you’ll receive an invite to The Alumni Lounge, a private community area where filmmakers who’ve completed their studies gather to keep in touch with each other and the Lights Film School community at large.

All of this to say that you don’t have to be alone in your filmmaking journey. Interaction is there if you want it, every step of the way!

What equipment do I need?

All you need is a video camera and some editing software. That said, it doesn’t matter what type of video camera and editing software you have when you enroll.

From an equipment standpoint, the bar to entry into the film industry has never been lower. Certainly, you’re welcome to use a high-end camera, but DSLMs and even iPhone cameras are common today. Here at Lights Film School, we teach our students how to embrace, not resist, the technical constraints they face. Oftentimes, constraints are the key to creativity!

While we do recommend that you work toward finding a camera and software that afford you as much manual control as possible, we meet you where you are – our goal is to teach you regardless of the tools you’re using. ARRI Alexa or Panasonic GH5, Avid Media Composer or Apple iMovie, you’ll be able to complete everything in the course without a problem.

🎬 READY TO ENROLL?

Learn how to create professional narrative and documentary films,
using the gear you already have, wherever you live.

Join by Our Next Enrollment Date – Friday, November 23, 2018:

ONE-TIME PAYMENT

$495One-Time

📚 The Complete Filmmaking Course

Discover what you need to know to become a professional filmmaker, by progressing through an introduction and all 5 modules of our curriculum at your own pace: Screenwriting, Directing, Editing, Cinematography, and Sound Design.

⛏ Individualized Project Feedback

You’ll complete 5 assignments, culminating in your very own short film. Our teachers will provide individualized, critical coverage to help you become a better filmmaker.

🌎 Exclusive Social Network

Connect with teachers and peers from around the world, inspire each other, and start building professional relationships.

Get access to sound effects and music collections for use in your student productions, a curated selection of professional screenplays, and on-demand access to our library of 14 custom video tutorials.

🏅 Course Completion Certificate

When you complete the course, we'll issue you a digital course completion certificate with its own serial number, commemorating your accomplishment - plus a hand-signed physical copy upon request.

🎓 Alumni Program

As a graduate, you’ll be invited to a private community area for continued camaraderie in your filmmaking journey and news of future alumni perks.

WAIT, CAN I SEE SOME TESTIMONIALS?

Sure thing. We love our students, and our students love us!

“Lights Film School is the ideal stepping stone; I love how it takes you through the entire filmmaking process. Learning the technical side was appealing & the course exceeded my expectations. The tutors are experienced & incredibly knowledgeable. Lights opened a whole new world for me.”

Aaron Falvey

“Having a dream to create films, but not having any real formal training made me a prime candidate for Lights Film School… I revisited my final project, and it was broadcast on local PBS stations. Thanks for giving me a solid foundation and the confidence to follow my dreams!”

Gregory Fish

“Lights Film School has been an amazing experience! By the time I graduated, I had secured two film jobs, developed my showreel, and achieved film schooling! Lights is the perfect school for anyone who wants to work towards a film certificate whilst having enough time for a full-time job.”

Nick Kingan

With limited time and experience, I enrolled in Lights Film School. I’m so glad that I did. It was challenging while still being supportive and accessible. Instructors were very attentive and the online school community was always open to sharing ideas and experience. The online platform itself was quick to learn and easy to follow. I’ve come away with technical skill, a honed lens for what makes a good film, and the confidence to pursue this career!

Kelly Legge

“I am very pleased with how thoroughly the program is constructed with theoretical knowledge, concrete examples, videos and other material. My filmmaking skills have reached a completely different level after studying at Lights. Especially the feedback from the teachers has been priceless!”

Jussi Pohjolainen

“The flexibility of the Lab Chats allowed me to work around my busy schedule. The live lectures are very thorough in covering the necessary elements relevant to developing my skills as a filmmaker. They also give me an opportunity to ask questions directly to industry professionals.”

Sharvon Urbannavage

“It’s easy to recognize and respect the expertise of the instructors, who have been responsive to my questions as well as helpful and generous with their direction. The chatroom lecture format has been surprisingly easy to get used to. They’ve helped improve my work enormously.”

Charlie McDougall

“I would like to thank Lights Film School and everyone who is a part of your program! Because of Lights Film School, I now work in video full time and have made some really awesome short independent films that have gotten attention from big name video game developers and publishers.”

Jason Forge

“There are, undoubtedly, many free filmmaking resources on the internet, but these are scattered and disconnected… The Lights Film School course, conversely, guides its students through a highly structured curriculum with regular assignments and excellent feedback!”

We’re honored to have had our content featured in places like:

🎬 DECISION TIME!

Learn how to create professional narrative and documentary films,
using the gear you already have, wherever you live.

Join by Our Next Enrollment Date – Friday, November 23, 2018:

ONE-TIME PAYMENT

$495One-Time

📚 The Complete Filmmaking Course

Discover what you need to know to become a professional filmmaker, by progressing through an introduction and all 5 modules of our curriculum at your own pace: Screenwriting, Directing, Editing, Cinematography, and Sound Design.

⛏ Individualized Project Feedback

You’ll complete 5 assignments, culminating in your very own short film. Our teachers will provide individualized, critical coverage to help you become a better filmmaker.

🌎 Exclusive Social Network

Connect with teachers and peers from around the world, inspire each other, and start building professional relationships.

Get access to sound effects and music collections for use in your student productions, a curated selection of professional screenplays, and on-demand access to our library of 14 custom video tutorials.

🏅 Course Completion Certificate

When you complete the course, we'll issue you a digital course completion certificate with its own serial number, commemorating your accomplishment - plus a hand-signed physical copy upon request.

🎓 Alumni Program

As a graduate, you’ll be invited to a private community area for continued camaraderie in your filmmaking journey and news of future alumni perks.